Mizzima
Eighteen junta soldiers were killed during three days of fighting when CDF-Matupi attacked a junta convoy in Matupi, Chin State between 20 and 22 March.
The convoy, which was bringing food and reinforcements to the junta military base at Htal Bwe on the Matupi to Palatwa road between the towns of Matupi and Paletwa.
The convoy was made up of three military vehicles and roughly 80 soldiers from Infantry Battalion 304.
On 20 March the convoy was twice attacked by defence forces. The first attack was at 10:00 a.m. at Milepost 6 and then later at 1:00 p.m. between mileposts 7 and 8.
The convoy was then attacked at 9:30 a.m. the next day, 21 March, at Milepost 9. According to CDF-Matupi 12 junta soldiers died and many others were injured in the attack.
The convoy stopped for the night at Tuiship Village near Milepost 12.
The following day, 22 March, the convoy started out again before being again attacked by CDF-Matupi close to Tuiship Cemetry at 6:50 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. According to CDF-Matupi six junta soldiers were killed and many more were injured in those attacks without CDF-Matupi suffering any casualties.
Later, between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., a helicopter delivered reinforcements of 30 junta soldiers and took away the injured.
But, the convoy was unable to proceed due to ongoing attacks, so it retreated to Tuiship Village, according to a CDF-Matupi spokesperson who also said that the fighting had continued on 23 March, but had no further details.
Speaking of the attacks the spokesperson said: “We also monitored the military convoy through our informants We have the advantage in these attacks. We waited and ambushed them because they [the convoy] are not only a moving target, we also know which way they will pass.”
He also explained that because the junta was using large military trucks they could not use any shortcuts and were forced to travel on main roads where it is easier for CDF-Matupi to follow and attack them.
CDF-Matupi has advised local residents to move away to safer areas and make sure that they dig trenches to give them somewhere to shelter if the junta attack them with airstrikes.
